VIDEO MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
AT THE VIGIL OF THE APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO MEXICO
[12-18 FEBRUARY 2016]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Just days away from my journey to Mexico, I am content, I feel great joy. I always remember the people of Mexico in a special way in my prayers. I carry you in my heart, and now I will be able to visit you and set foot on that blessed soil, so beloved by God and so dear to the Virgin Mary. You may be asking yourself: what does the Pope want from this journey? The answer is short and sweet: I wish to come as a missionary of mercy and peace: to meet with you to profess together our faith in God and to share a fundamental truth of our life: that God really loves us, that he loves us with a love that is infinite, beyond our merits. I wish to be as close as possible with you, but in a special way with all those who are suffering, to embrace them and tell them that Jesus loves them very much, that he is always at their side.

I am glad to know that you have been preparing for my journey by praying hard. Prayer expands our heart and prepares it to receive God’s gifts. Prayer illuminates our eyes to be able to see others as God sees them, to love as God loves. I thank you very much for praying for me, as I need it.

Would you like me to share with you another of my greatest desires? To be able to visit the house of the Virgin Mary. Like any child, I will approach the Mother and I will place at her feet all that I have in my heart. It is beautiful to be able to visit the maternal home and feel the tenderness of her benevolent presence. There I will look into her eyes and I will implore her to never stop looking at us with mercy, for she is our Heavenly Mother. Henceforth I entrust to her my journey and all of you, my dear Mexican brothers and sisters.

May Jesus bless you and the Blessed Virgin take care of you.